21 VERY INTERESTING NATIVE PLANTS OF PERU - BIOLOGY - 2024

Some of the native plants of Peru are the macua, quenua, cinchona, paico, cat's claw or custard apple. Peru has about 25,000 native plant species, 10% of all plant species in the world.

Thanks to its geographic diversity (coastal deserts, mountains or jungle), 28 different climates out of the 32 possible in the world and 84 of the 103 existing ecological zones, Peruvian flora is one of the most diverse on the planet.

They are known as native plants since they are their own or originated in the Peruvian country, some of them being food and / or medicinal.

The properties of native Peruvian plants have been known since ancient times. Some of these plants were cultivated in Peru since 1600 BC since the native inhabitants used these plants for their medicinal properties and potential effects.

Furthermore, the Incas considered some of these native silvers as "gifts from the gods"; They grew them for food and used them in religious ceremonies for dances and rituals.

Only in 2009, Peru exported native plants such as camu camu, maca, cat's claw, tara, quinoa, sacha inchi, achiote, aguaymanto, walnuts, purple corn, giant corn from Cusco, kiwicha and yacón, with a value close to 87 million dollars.

Perhaps you may be interested in the flora of the Peruvian coast.

Common native plants from Peru

It is a tuber originated in the Andes. It contains elements such as calcium, potassium, and iron, silicon, iodine, and phosphorus.

It has an influence on hormones, helping to normalize the thyroid and endocrine glands, as well as an aid to oxygenate muscle tissues. It is also an energizer and helps fight osteoporosis.

2- Queuna

It is a small tree native to the Andes. Its leaves are small, its trunk is crooked and its bark is reddish. It is peeled off like paper and is known as "the tree of tourists."

3- Cinchona

It is a tree of about 10 meters, native to the Andes, being well known for being present in the coat of arms of the Peruvian national flag. Its bark contains quinine and is used to treat malaria.

4- Paico

It is a perennial herb native to Central America. Its flowers are small and green and it grows in hot temperatures and subtropical areas.

It is used in cooking for its strong flavor, being compared with citrus herbs, anise and oregano.

It is sometimes used to fight worm infections in humans and as a treatment for amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and malaria.

5- Cat's claw

You have large, curved spines that grow along your vine. It is used as a medicine to treat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, to cleanse the digestive tract, and as a treatment for cancer. Contains alkaloid chemicals oxindoles.

6- Cherimoya

It is a species of edible fruit native to Peru, transported to the rest of the Andes and to Central America.

It has a creamy texture and the Peruvian Moche culture often represented it in their crafts.

7- Achiote

It has an intense red pulp. Its flakes can be used against sore throats, diarrhea, asthma, angina, vomiting and headaches.

8- Mashua

This plant is grown from 2800 to 3800 meters above sea level. It can be consumed cooked or parboiled, although it is usually used in sweets with milk.

It decreases testosterone levels, which is why it is used in prostate diseases. Industrially it is an input for antibiotics.

9- Puya Raimondi

It is a wild species endemic to the Andes. It reaches 12 meters in height and produces up to 8,000 flowers throughout its life, which can last up to 100 years.

10- Arracacha

It is a root vegetable native to the Andes. It is an intermediate vegetable between a carrot and a celery.

It is very starchy and is a popular food throughout South America. The roots are similar to a carrot, with a lot of white skin. The interior can be white, yellow, purple.

11- Quinoa

It is a cereal with high protein content; it is a source of many amino acids necessary for human development.

Industrially it is marketed in the form of flour and flakes. It can be consumed alone, in sweets, in stews, and in soups.

12- Yacon

This tuber is used in weight loss regimens. It has antidiabetic properties and provides relief from gastrointestinal and kidney problems.

13- Guava

It is a fruit with abundant content of vitamin C. It helps to counteract high blood pressure and stimulates heart activity.

The leaves of this plant can be used as intestinal astringents, in stomach pains and as a healing of the skin.

14- Cantuta

It is the national flower of Peru, known as the "sacred flower of the Incas." It is 3 m tall and has red or yellow flowers.

15- Ichu

It is the typical plant of the Andean highlands. It is a type of grass with great importance in this region since it is used as fodder for llamas, alpacas, sheep, etc. It is also used to make roofs, bricks, and fuel.

16- Aguaymanto

It is a digestive plant rich in vitamin C. It is a great antioxidant that promotes wound healing. It also helps improve some allergic conditions.

17- Totora

It is a species of sedge found mostly in Lake Titicaca and on the coast. The natives use this plant to make their floating islands, houses and boats.

18- Sacha inchi

It is a perennial plant. Its oil has nutraceutical properties. It has a lot of vitamin A, vitamin E, fatty acids, and omega 3, 6 and 9. It is consumed in the form of parboiled grain or it is blended in the form of a puree.

19- Orchid

Peru, fourth country in diversity of orchids, has some 2,500 species distributed in 224 genera. They are found in the Amazon rainforest and in high jungles like Machu Picchu.

20- Hercampuri

This small shrub is grown in the mountains and helps regulate fat metabolism, being widely used in the treatment of obesity.

It acts as a diuretic, facilitates circulation, is a hepatoprotective and acts as a hypoglycemic.

21- Goose

It is a native tuber of the Andes. It is generally cultivated by Quechua and Aymara farmers; it has been an essential food in rural diets in the Andes for centuries.

References

1. Typical peruvian plants. Recovered from peruinformation.com.
2. Native plants of Peru surprise by their properties (2010) Recovered from spanish.peopledaily.com.cn.